A spanking good time at the 2013 Oxjam Launch Party

Exeter's newest funk band, Electric Spank, are topping the bill at the launch party for Oxjam 2013 at the Exeter Phoenix. The first of a series of gigs taking place in our fair city as part of an Oxfam musical take over, the 29 May event will not disappoint. Fronted by the unstoppable Lucy Rice, of Melosa fame, with guitar by the insatiably funky Alastiar Toms, Electric Spank's last gig at the Lamb Inn, nr Crediton was a phenomenal mix of funky as originals and  rock solid covers to bring happiness to your ear holes.

Next October, Oxfam GB will be raising funds with 60 music festivals throughout the country. The Exeter event will be on 19th-20th October comprising many events right across the city. There will also be fundraising events prior to the Takeover so keep your eyes peeled! Follow them on Twitter @oxjamexeter2013 and like them on Facebook.

Pop along to the event to hear more and more importantly have a good time! If you dig it, them you could make friends and get involved. They're currently looking for volunteers, bands/artists, venues, security, fundraising ideas and more. If you would like to be involved them tweet or take a look at the Oxjam website for more information: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam/get-involved

Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots Story Telling Evening at Exeter Phoenix

Story Teller Sandhya Dave 

Hot on the heels of a fully booked spring performance at RAMM, Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots, presents an evening of storytelling, inspired by new historical research into Exeter's multicultural history, on Wednesday 5 June at the  Exeter Phoenix  for the 2013 Exeter Ignite Theatre festival. Rich story-telling, music and verse bring a new multi-cultural perspective to Exeter’s history in a special performance.

Expect an evening of traditional tales mixed with original stories of people from around the world, moving to, living in and affecting lives in Exeter. Hosted by story-teller Sandhya Dave and local historian Lucy MacKeith, Telling Our Stories' volunteer team will present stories of Black GIs in St Thomas, Exeter's Jewish History, tales of slavery, abolition and more.

In this special performance for Exeter's Ignite Theatre Festival, the Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots collection of stories takes inspiration from new research uncovering Exeter's diverse past. Part of a year long Heritage Lottery Funded project, the 5 June event follows hot on the heels of a fully booked storytelling evening at the RAMM earlier this spring and will give insight into just a few of the human stories revealed in more than 20 different research inquiries and interviews with modern day Exeter residents from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. 

The stories will include pieces that bring new perspectives to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's Collections and local stately homes. How did war time Exeter respond to a US Army presence that kept black and white GIs separated on the city's streets? Hear tales of Exeter's Jewish community in the Middle Ages and today. Discover how Exeter's residents were affected by slavery and abolition. What happened when Tennessee's Fisk Singers Jubilee Singers arrived in Victorian Exeter and more.

Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots, £6/£4, at Exeter Phoenix on Wednesday 5 June at 7:30pm for more information visit www.exeterphoenix.co.uk